Missal Guide
As the Archdiocese of Washington continues in its efforts to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by temporarily halting public Masses in keeping with federal and local government mandates to shelter at home and to avoid gathering in groups, Masses continue to be livestreamed over the Internet. The archdiocese has a special website at adw.org/coronavirus with links to those Masses. The following are the readings for Masses scheduled for May 1 through May 15, 2020.
The necrology of deceased priests and deacons who served in the archdiocese is also listed, to correspond with the days that they died, so people can pray for them on those days.
May 1
Friday of the Third Week of Easter
St. Joseph the Worker
First Friday
Readings: Genesis 1:26-2:3 or Colossians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Matthew 13:54-58
St. Joseph the Worker is a different feast from St. Joseph, husband of Mary, which is celebrated on March 19. This feast honors workers and laborers and was established by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to Christianize labor and give all workers a model and patron. Parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. are named for him on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.; Pomfret, Maryland; Largo, Maryland; Morganza, Maryland; and Beltsville, Maryland.
Papal intention for the month of May: That deacons, faithful in their service to the Word and to the poor, may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.
Necrology: Deacon John D. Kelly, 2004; Msgr. George G. Higgins, 2002: Father Andrew Pennella, O.S.B., 1994.
May 2
St. Athanasius, bishop and Doctor of the Church
First Saturday
Readings: Acts 9:31-42; John 6:60-69
St. Athanasius was a fourth century bishop of Alexandria who promoted the Council of Nicea, and who preached against the Arians who exiled him five times. He is considered one of the great Doctors of the Church and was a prolific writer, most especially about the Incarnation,
Necrology: Father Vincent M. O'Brien, S.J., 2012: Father J. Gregory Echle, 1989; Msgr. Eugene J. Connelly, 1942.
May 3
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Feast of St. Philip and St. James is omitted
Readings: Acts 2:14, 36-41; 1 Peter 2;20-25; John 10:1-10
May 4
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 11:1-18; John 10:11-18
Necrology: Deacon Edward J. Brink, 2013; Father John T. Dewan, 1989.
May 5
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 11:19-26; John 10:22-30
Necrology: Deacon Anthony J. McMahon, 1998; Father Benjamin Bowling, C.S. P., 1980; Father Harold F. Trehey, 1978.
May 6
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 12:24-13:5; John 12:44-50
Necrology: Deacon John H. Turner, 2013; Father John O. Winnenberg, 2007; Father Noel O’Callaghan, 1984; Msgr. Edward L. Buckey, 1948.
May 7
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 13:13-25; John 13:16-20
Necrology: Father James P. Grace, 1962; Father Leo Burke, OMI, 1953.
May 8
Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6
May 9
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 13:44-52; John 14:7-14
Necrology: Deacon Daniel Thompson, 2018; Father George B. Reid, 2011; Deacon Lawrence A. Wilkinson, 2000; Father Peter Manganaro, 1969; Msgr. W. Paul Smith, 1946.
May 10
Sunday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Mother's Day
Readings: Acts 6:1-7; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12
Necrology: Father John J. Tyne, S.S.J., 2002; Father John J. Reilly, 1949.
May 11
Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 14:5-18; John 14:21-26
Necrology: Father Horace B. McKenna, S.J., 1982.
May 12
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
St. Nereus and St. Achilleus, martyrs
St. Pancras, martyr
Readings: Acts 14:19-28; John 14:27-31
St. Nereus and St. Achilleus were martyred at the end of the first century. They were Praetorian soldiers who were beheaded for converting to Christianity.
St. Pancras was a fourth century Syrian orphan who traveled to Rome where he converted to Christianity. He was only 14 years old when he was beheaded during the reign of Diocletian.
Necrology: Father Philip J. Barbot, 1978.
May 13
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Our Lady of Fatima
Readings: Acts 15:1-6; John 15:1-8
Our Lady of Fatima appeared to three shepherd children in Portugal between May 13 and Oct. 13, 1917. She called for the conversion of the world, repentance from sin, and frequent prayer, especially the rosary. In the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., Our Lady of Fatima Parish for Portuguese speaking Catholics is in Riverdale Park, and a shrine in her honor is located at St. Mary Parish in Barnesville, Maryland.
May 14
St. Matthias, Apostle
Readings: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; John 15:9-17
St. Matthias was the apostle chosen to replace Judas. He was an early witness to Jesus's ministry and resurrection. He was martyred either in Jerusalem or in what is now the modern nation of Georgia. In the Archdiocese of Washington, a parish is named for him in Lanham, Maryland.
May 15
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
St. Isidore the Farmer, husband and holy man
Readings: Acts 15:22-31; John 15:12-17
St. Isidore - a 12th century layman whose wife, Maria de la Cabeza (Torribia) is also a saint - was a farm laborer who performed many miracles. He is the patron saint of Madrid, of farmers and of rural communities.
Necrology: Msgr. J. Jennings Clark, 1989; Father Joseph D. Froehlick, 1953.
